A DECISION on whether the UK leaves the European Union must be backed by all four nations, insists the new Scottish National Party leader.

Nicola Sturgeon wants all four nations to decide on the UK's EU fate [GETTY]

Nicola Sturgeon, who will formally take over leadership of the SNP next month, said that England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should each vote on the UK's place in the EU to make withdrawal legal.

Her proposal would mean that for the UK to leave the EU, it would need "not just a majority across the whole UK, but a majority in each one of the four nations".

In an interview with BBC Radio's Good Morning Scotland, Ms Sturgeon said: "If you look at states like Australia and Canada there are some circumstances where changes to their constitution requires not just a majority across the country but in each of the provinces as well.

"The UK is not a unitary state it is a family of nations, it is made up of the four home nations.

"We were told during the referendum that each of these nations had equal status, that our voices mattered.

Her idea was branded 'ridiculous' by David Coburn of Ukip [GETTY]

We were told during the referendum that each of these nations had equal status, that our voices mattered

Nicola Sturgeon

"If that is the case I think it is right that something that would have such significant consequences for jobs, for the economy, for our standing in the world, it should require the consent of not just the UK as a whole but that family of nations."

Ms Sturgeon now plans to approach other political parties to support her idea, adding that she believes a referendum is inevitable no matter who wins next year's election.

But her elaborate idea has already been shot down by Ukip MEP for Scotland David Coburn, who said it was "ridiculous".

Mr Coburn told Good Morning Scotland: "Our country is Great Britain. I don't hold a Scottish passport I hold a British passport.

"We are one country. That was decided once and for all at the referendum.

"What part of no does she [Ms Sturgeon] not get? No, neigh, naw.

"We are all British voters. That was decided at the referendum."

David Cameron hinted that Britain is closer than ever to quitting the EU [GETTY]

The proposal of an in/out EU referendum has already been promised by Prime Minister David Cameron - providing that the Conservatives win next May's General Election.

Mr Cameron has also openly said that he wants to renegotiate the UK's relationship with Brussels, in a desperate bid to regain powers for Britain.

Earlier this year, Labour leader Ed Miliband said an EU referendum was unlikely to happen if his party came into power.

However, he did promise that Labour would hold an in/out vote if the UK was asked to transfer more powers to Brussels.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, Liberal Democrats leader Nick Clegg has openly spoken about how leaving the EU would provide negative consequences for the UK.

New anger surrounding the on-going EU debate was sparked this week after Brussels demanded £1.7billion from the UK.

This led to a furious David Cameron hinting that Britain had been pushed closer to an EU exit.

When pressed on the issue by the Daily Express he said: “It certainly doesn’t help, put it that way.”